Green plums cannot become lovers.

“I understand…” she murmured, her voice filled with bitter understanding. “How could I not understand… that child has endured so much, and we, his so-called 'family,' know nothing about it… What right do we have to suddenly appear now, demanding that he acknowledge his ancestors, demanding that he accept us…”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Xiaoqian," she said, a hint of determination in her eyes when she opened them again, "can you promise me one thing?"

"Please speak."

“Don’t tell him… I asked him these questions today.” Anhe Tiantong’s voice was unusually calm, but a deep pain welled up beneath that calm. “Don’t let him know that I’ve already guessed. If he doesn’t want to acknowledge this family, doesn’t want to acknowledge me as his grandmother… then let him continue to think that way. At least that way, he won’t feel pressured or burdened.”

Akane Akasaka was stunned: "But Grandma Tendo..."

“This is the only thing I can do for him.” Anhe Tiantong interrupted her, revealing a bitter yet gentle smile. “That child has already suffered enough. I can’t… I can’t disrupt his current life and add new troubles to him because of my wishful thinking, because of my belated guilt and care.”

She looked up at the piano in the Japanese-style room, her gaze distant: "This afternoon, when he played 'Rain,' I should have understood. The loneliness, strength, and that... gentle farewell in the music were all his way of reconciling with the past and keeping his distance from us—his family members whom he has never met."

Tears streamed down her face again, but a near-sacred sense of relief appeared on the old man's face.

“He plays so well.” Anwa Tendo said softly, as if talking to himself, or as if confiding to someone who was not present. “Sousuke, that boy, also had musical talent when he was young, but he didn’t persevere and eventually went astray… And Asuka, in such difficult circumstances, honed that talent to such a dazzling degree… This is probably fate’s final consolation to me, a failed mother.”

Akane Akane felt her heart deeply touched. Looking at the old woman before her—a national treasure-level actress who had shone on stage for half a century and was revered by countless people, who at this moment was just an ordinary grandmother, heartbroken and shedding tears for her children and grandchildren—she felt a complex mix of respect and sympathy welling up in her heart.

“Grandma Tendo, you are not a failed mother,” she said softly. “Asuka… although he can’t accept this family yet, he is a kind child. One day, when he is ready…”

"Don't comfort me, Xiaoqian." Anhe Tiantong shook her head, wiped away her tears, and sat up straight again. The Anhe Tiantong who was always calm and elegant in front of the camera seemed to have returned, but deep in her eyes, there was an indelible sense of vicissitude.

"I can see him, hear his music, and know that he is alive and well and strong... That's enough." The old man's voice returned to calm, even with a touch of gentle firmness.

"As for the future... let time tell. I will wait until the day he is willing. If that day never comes... that's okay too. At least I know that somewhere in this world, my grandson is living a shining life, and that's enough."

Silence fell in the tea room once again. But this silence was not heavy and oppressive; it was a clear and resilient quiet, washed clean by tears.

Outside the paper door, the courtyard lights burned quietly in the night. In the distance came the light footsteps of An and Subaru after their bath, and the tune of her humming a song—carefree and full of youthful energy.

Anwa Tendo listened to his granddaughter's voice, a complex smile appearing on his lips. She had Subaru, and now she knew of Asuka's existence... This family, after experiencing so much destruction and loss, seemed to have found a new and resilient vitality.

“Xiaoqian,” the old man said softly, “could you… continue to take care of him? No need for special care, just like you are doing now, give him opportunities, support his dreams, let his talent be seen by more people… that’s enough.”

Akane Akasaka nodded vigorously: "I will. I promise."

“Thank you,” Anhe Tiantong said sincerely, then paused and asked, “That child… is he having any difficulties in his life right now? I know it must be tough for him living alone…”

Akane Akasaka understood what the old woman meant. After a moment's thought, she cautiously replied, "He has indeed had a tough time, but he is very independent. And now, he has signed a contract with me, and the agency will provide him with basic living security and income. In addition, with the savings he accumulated from his previous part-time jobs, he should have no problem making a living."

"That's good..." An and Tiantong breathed a sigh of relief, but there was still a worry in their eyes that they could not completely hide.

Just then, An and Subaru's voices came from the corridor: "Grandma! Sister Zhu Yin! Are you still chatting? Should I make some fresh tea?"

Anwa Tendo quickly composed himself, his voice returning to its usual gentle tone: "No need, Subaru. It's getting late, Akane-neechan should go back too."

She turned to Akane Akasaka and gave her a deep look that only the two of them could understand: "Thank you for bringing Asuka-kun today. And thank you... for telling me all this."

Akane Akasaka rose and bowed respectfully: "It is I who should thank you for your hospitality. Well then, I shall take my leave."

As she walked out of the tea room, An and Subaru were standing in the corridor, peering curiously inside.

"Is Sister Zhu Yin leaving? Where's Asuka-kun?"

“He’s already gone back.” Akane Kousaka smiled and patted An and Subaru on the head. “You can meet again next time you have the chance.”

“Definitely!” An and Subaru said happily.

Anwa Tendo stood at the entrance of the tea room, watching Akane Akasaka leave. Moonlight shone on her kimono, outlining a solitary yet upright figure. No trace of tears could be seen on her face; only her eyes shone with a complex and profound light in the night.

Akane Akasaka stepped out of the Anwa family's gate and glanced back at the mansion standing quietly in the night. The lights in the courtyard were warm and hazy, like a gentle vigil.

She took out her phone and sent a message to An and Asuka: "I'm about to head back to the office. Have you arrived yet?"

A few minutes later, I received a reply: "I've arrived and am waiting for you in the lounge."

The words were brief and calm, as always. But Akane Kousaka knew that beneath that calm, the boy's heart must have been filled with turbulent emotions.

She looked up at the Tokyo night sky and took a deep breath. The city lights were still dazzling, and the crowds were still flowing endlessly, but in a quiet courtyard, a secret hidden for fourteen years was finally revealed, a broken family was reconnected in a different way, and the story of a lonely but strong boy was being known and cherished by more and more people.

And all of this may only be the beginning.

Akane Akane walked towards the waiting car, her heart filled with complex emotions—heavy, yet brimming with hope. She knew that An and Asuka's journey was far from over, and the story of that family was far from finished. But at least tonight, amidst tears, silence, and the lingering echoes of music, a new possibility had quietly begun to sprout.

The car drove into the Tokyo night, leaving the Anwa family mansion far behind. But Akane Kousaka knew that some bonds, once formed, would never be easily broken—whether in the name of blood, through music, or simply the purest cherishing and protection between people.

What she had to do was protect that boy, protect his talent, and protect the light that was shining brightly despite the difficulties.

As Anwa Tendo said, it is enough to know that he is living a shining life in some corner of the world.

That's enough, and it has to be enough. At least for now, while everything is still too fragile and too new.

Akane Akasaka leaned back in her car seat and closed her eyes. Images of An and Asuka playing the piano flashed through her mind, as did An and Tendo's tearful faces, and An and Subaru's bright smiles.

These images intertwine to form a complex and moving story.

The car traveled through the Tokyo night, heading towards Shibuya, towards the boy who was waiting.

Volume 1: Chapter 155 Another Year [11,000 words]

During the few days that An and Asuka spent getting familiar with the environment at the Shibuya office, they never forgot another important purpose of their trip—to visit their childhood friend whom they hadn't seen for a year.

On the afternoon of the second day after arriving in Tokyo, while Akane Akasaka was busy with meetings, An and Asuka, along with Marina, Shizuka, and Ai Hoshino, arrived at the somewhat old apartment building where she lived.

Tokyo's residential areas are quite different from their small town. The buildings are denser, the streets are narrower, and the air is filled with the unique smells of the city, a mixture of car exhaust and convenience store food.

Shortly after the doorbell was rung, the door opened. The girl who appeared behind the door had familiar long brown hair tied in a neat ponytail, wore simple loungewear, and had a surprised smile on her face.

"Asuka! Marina! Shizuka! Ai!" Aoyama Nanami's eyes lit up, her voice filled with the joy of a long-awaited reunion. "Come in quickly!"

The house wasn't large, but it was very tidy. The living room doubled as the dining room, and tea and snacks were already laid out on a low table. Several potted plants on the windowsill were growing well, adding a touch of life to this small space.

"Nanami, it's been a long time." Anwa Asuka smiled slightly and handed her the souvenirs she had brought.

"You've come all this way, why bring any gifts?" Aoyama Nanami accepted the gift somewhat shyly, but her smile deepened. "Sit down, don't stand."

Five people sat around a low table, the steam from their tea rising gently, blurring the cityscape outside the window. Having not seen each other for a year, they all had so much to say.

Marina eagerly recounted her experiences in Tokyo—the excitement of riding the Shinkansen, the vibrancy of Shibuya, and the grandeur of the Rouge en Rouge agency. Shizuka, on the other hand, was more concerned about Aoyama Nanami's life in Tokyo, gently asking if she was settling in and if her studies were going well.

Aoyama Nanami answered one by one, her tone calm but with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue: "Tokyo is very different from Aichi. The pace here is fast and the competition is fierce. It was okay in the first year of junior high, but the second year was really tiring. In my junior high school, everyone was working hard to get into a good high school... But I've gotten used to it."

An and Asuka listened quietly, their gazes fixed on Aoyama Nanami's face. They noticed that in the year since they last met, the young woman had gained a touch of maturity, and also bore the marks of pressure.

"Is there anything Nanami wants to do?" Hoshino Ai suddenly asked, her purple eyes filled with concern. "Besides her studies."

Aoyama Nanami paused, her fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of her teacup. After a moment, she said softly, "Actually... I'm very interested in voice acting."

"A voice actress?" Marina's eyes lit up. "You mean the kind who does voice acting for anime? Nanami's voice is so beautiful, she'd be perfect for it!"

Aoyama Nanami's face flushed slightly: "I'm just interested. I participated in the school's broadcasting club and secretly practiced voice acting... but the competition in Tokyo is too fierce, and the tuition for professional voice actor training schools is very expensive."

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily drifted towards An and Asuka, her eyes flashing with complex emotions—envy, blessings, and a hint of undisguised loneliness.

Because during their conversation just now, she learned that An, Asuka, Marina, Shizuka, and Ai had all been scouted by Akane Akasaka and signed to Rouge en Rouge. That's a top-tier creative agency in the industry, a platform that countless young people with dreams can only dream of.

Meanwhile, he was still struggling to meet basic requirements, and his dream of becoming a voice actor seemed out of reach.

An and Asuka keenly noticed the emotion in Aoyama Nanami's eyes. After a moment of silence, they asked, "Nanami, if you really want to pursue a career as a voice actress, do you need any help?"

Aoyama Nanami paused for a moment, then shook her head vigorously: "No, no! I can do it myself. Besides..." She paused, her voice lowering, "I don't want you to trouble Mr. Kousaka just because we're friends. That... wouldn't be right."

She spoke with conviction, but An and Asuka sensed the pride and stubbornness in her voice. Aoyama Nanami was just that kind of person—independent, self-reliant, and unwilling to easily accept help from others, especially help that might be tinged with pity or charity.

An and Asuka respected her choice. He believed in Aoyama Nanami's talent and hard work, and that given time and opportunity, she would definitely be able to achieve her dreams on her own. He couldn't recklessly demand resources for his friend just because Akane Kousaka favored him—that would be disrespectful to Akane Kousaka and an underestimation of Aoyama Nanami's abilities.

“I understand.” An and Asuka nodded, their tone earnest. “If you need anything, just let me know. Not to help, but… support between friends.”

Aoyama Nanami looked at him, a warmth welling up in her eyes: "Yes. Thank you, Asuka."

The gathering lasted the entire afternoon. Everyone chatted about the changes of the past year, their dreams for the future, and those memories that only childhood friends could understand. The small apartment was filled with long-lost laughter and warmth, as if we had returned to those simple yet precious days in Aichi Prefecture.

As they left, the setting sun had painted the Tokyo sky a gentle orange-red. Aoyama Nanami saw them to the door and waved goodbye.

"You must come see me again next time you come to Tokyo!" she said loudly.

A year has passed since they parted, and she really misses him. It's been four years since she met that boy, but they've only actually spent half a year together.

She was largely absent from most of his childhood.

“Definitely!” Marina turned around and waved.

An and Asuka walked at the back, glancing back at Aoyama Nanami. The girl stood in the twilight, her figure appearing somewhat slender, but her back was straight and her eyes resolute.

He knew that Aoyama Nanami would forge her own path. And he would, at the appropriate time and in the appropriate way, provide her with the support she deserved—not charity, but assistance based on equal respect.

Over the next few days, An and Asuka, under Akane Akasaka's guidance, gained a deeper understanding of Rouge en Rouge's workflow. They visited a professional recording studio, observed a music production meeting, and even participated in a small-scale audition for new artists.

In addition to these formal events, the agency has gained another regular visitor—An and Subaru.

Having somehow learned that Anwa Asuka was at the Shibuya office, this young lady of the Anwa family would come over almost every day under various pretexts. Sometimes it was "I just happened to be shopping nearby," sometimes it was "I bought some snacks for my grandma and stopped by to drop by," and sometimes she wouldn't even bother with a reason, simply showing up at the front desk and asking, "Is Asuka-kun here?"

The firm's employees went from being surprised at first to getting used to it, and even started joking about it in private.

"Miss Anhe is here again, and today she brought strawberry daifuku."

"The way she looked at Asuka-kun, tsk tsk..."

"But Asuka seems quite cold towards her? She's always polite but distant."

"But Miss Anhe doesn't care at all, and still comes every day."

Anwa Asuka did keep his distance from Anwa Subaru because he didn't want to have a deep connection with the Anwa family.

Blood ties are a fact that cannot be chosen, but how one treats those blood ties is a choice.

However, faced with An and Subaru's enthusiasm and innocence, An and Asuka found it difficult to remain completely indifferent. This girl possessed a radiant innocence untouched by the world, a well-protected naiveté.

Such innocence always makes people want to cherish it.

So when Anwa Subaru came to the agency for the third time, blinking his big eyes and asking, "Asuka-kun, I heard you're really good at music, could you perform for me?" Anwa Asuka sighed and nodded.

In the afternoon, in the rehearsal room on the sixteenth floor of the agency, An and Asuka performed for the first time in front of An and Subaru.

He didn't choose the piano or guitar, but instead went to the drum set in the corner. This was his starting point, the first instrument he came into contact with, and the one that best expressed his inner emotions.

An and Subaru sat on a chair to the side, resting their chins on their hands, staring at him intently.

An and Asuka adjusted their posture and picked up their drumsticks. Instead of choosing any existing music, they closed their eyes, took a deep breath, and then—

The first drumbeat fell.

It wasn't a melody, but an explosion of pure rhythm. The dense snare drum beats were like a torrential downpour, the bass drum's heavy thuds were like thunder, and the friction of the cymbals created the whistling of the wind. An and Asuka's bodies moved to the rhythm, their arms swung freely, their hair flew with the movements, and sweat quickly seeped from their foreheads.

This isn't the gentle "Summe" or the melancholic "Rain." This is a raw, unrestrained, and vibrant outpouring of energy. Every drumbeat is precise and explosive, the rhythmic variations complex yet flowing naturally. The complete control over the instrument, the ability to transform emotion into sound, fills the entire rehearsal room with a breathtaking energy.

An and Subaru were completely stunned.

Her eyes widened, her heart pounding with the drumbeats. She had never seen Anhe Asuka like this before—no longer the calm, gentle boy, but an artist completely unleashed in his music. That focus, that intensity, that state of being one with the instrument, captivated her gaze.

As the last resounding cymbal clang faded, its echo lingering in the room, An and Asuka put down their drumsticks, slightly out of breath. Sweat trickled down their cheeks and dripped onto the floor.

The rehearsal room was completely silent.

After a long while, An and Subaru finally found their voices: "...Amazing."

Her voice was soft, but the light in her eyes was astonishing. It wasn't simple worship, but some deeper, soul-stirring awe.

An and Asuka wiped their sweat and asked, "What else do you want to hear?"

"What else can you do?" An and Subaru asked bluntly.

“I can do everything,” An and Asuka said, raising an eyebrow with confidence.

And the girl actually believed her: "Guitar! I want to hear a guitar!"

So An and Asuka put down their drumsticks and picked up a wooden guitar from the wall. They sat on a high stool, tuned the strings, and then looked at An and Subaru.

What kind of thing do you want to hear?

“Cheerful!” An and Subaru said, “Like…like eating watermelon under the shade of a tree on a summer afternoon!”

This description made An and Asuka raise their eyebrows slightly, but they didn't ask any more questions. Their fingers lightly touched the strings, and a light and bright melody flowed out.

This music is completely different from the drums we just heard. It begins with a few lively notes, like sunlight dancing on leaves, before the melody unfolds, fresh, warm, and full of life. An and Asuka's fingers move nimbly across the strings, occasionally adding a few clever harmonics, making the whole piece even more vibrant.

He lowered his head slightly, focusing intently on the strings, a faint smile unconsciously playing on his lips. The smile was subtle, yet it softened his entire face, making him appear exceptionally clear and...charming in the afternoon sunlight streaming in from the window.

Anwa Subaru gazed at Anwa Asuka with mesmerized eyes.

She watched his slender fingers dance on the strings, watched his lowered eyelashes cast soft shadows under his eyes, watched the slight pursing of his lips when he was focused, and watched that rare, genuine smile.

My heart started racing without me even realizing it.

The music continued. An and Asuka improvised, the melody sometimes as cheerful as children playing, sometimes as gentle as a breeze, and sometimes as melodious as a distant mountain call. He perfectly transformed the feeling of "eating watermelon under the shade of a tree on a summer afternoon" described by An and Subaru into sound.